A simple solution to boys’ hyperactivity: Give them a break.
Lexington child psychologist Anthony Rao is author of “The Way of Boys: Promoting the Social and Emotional Development of Young Boys.’’
Q. You write that young boys are overdiagnosed much of the time and labeled with ADHD, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. That our problem isn’t always boys, it’s our expectations of them. Elaborate?
A. Because when boys enter into preschool or any learning situation, the expectations to succeed or perform don’t really match where they’re at. They don’t make eye contact very well. They don’t listen as well. Their hearing is not as acute as it is for girls, so they don’t develop language skills as quickly. And they have high motor activity. You have boys being asked to sit longer or be indoors, and teachers who are at the front lines saying your child is having a problem fitting in. That translates quickly into a diagnosis and a medication.
Read more here: Anthony Rao has a simple solution to boys’ hyperactivity: Give them a break. – The Boston Globe.
Note: To support the site we make money on some products, product categories and services that we talk about on this website through affiliate relationships with the merchants in question. We get a small commission on sales of those products.That in no way affects our opinions of those products and services.
Share this:
About The Author
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is founder of Support for Special Needs and has been a regular contributor since its inception in May 2010. A mom to two kids with special needs, she didn't want other parents to feel what is the often isolating world of raising a child (or two!) with disabilities. Her kids had kidney transplants at the age of eight and will need liver transplants in the future as a result of ARPKD/CHF. They both have vision disorders and learning disabilities.